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Title 7: SNAP Page 9 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter C: Nonfinancial Eligibility Categorical Eligibility Revised September 27, 2024 FIP and SSI Households

1. Mr. and Mrs. J both receive SSI. Mr. J is found to have committed an IPV and is disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits. Mrs. J continues to get SNAP benefits as a household of one, but is no longer categorically eligible. Since categorical eligibility does not apply, all SNAP policies must be examined. For example, resource limits are not automatically considered to be met, but Mr. and Mrs. J’s resources remain exempt because they receive SSI. Mrs. J is disabled, so the gross income limit does not apply. However, because her household is not categorically eligible, the net income limit does apply when her SNAP eligibility and benefits are calculated. 2. Mr. and Mrs. B receive SNAP benefits. Mrs. B receives SSI. Mr. B is employed. The household does not meet categorical eligibility criteria. Mr. B quits his job without good cause and is canceled from the SNAP case. Mrs. B is now a household of one. She is categorically eligible because, for determining categorical eligibility, the only household member is an SSI recipient. General Assistance (GA) Households Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.2(j) Policy: A household is categorically eligible when:  All members of the household receive ongoing benefits from a state or local general assistance (GA) program, and  The GA program’s income and resource criteria are comparable to or more restrictive than the FIP, SSI, or SNAP income limits and gross income test, and  The GA, other than in-kind assistance, is financed with state or local funds and is for living expenses or other basic needs intended to promote the health or well-being of recipients. GA programs that provide emergency payments for only one month do not qualify a household as categorically eligible. Comment: There may be GA programs in Iowa that meet the criteria to make SNAP households categorically eligible. However, none have been identified. If you have a situation in which a household that is not otherwise categorically eligible might be based on receipt of GA benefits, contact the SPIRS Help Desk.